16
Penelope
After the crowd around Isabel and Rathcavan dispersed after congratulating them, Rathcavan excused himself and went off to another table near the rear of the tent with Isabel’s brother, Nathaniel, and the Gowrey brothers. Penelope and Charlotte went to Isabel’s side again, Penny taking a seat to Isa’s left, and Charlotte to her right. They huddled together, as they often did, to share secrets as friends often did. And they did probably more often than most.
“You’re the first of us, Isabel.” Isabel had a glow from within, and her happiness was a palpable emotion. “And I cannot be happier that you will now be my cousin, too.”
“It may be third cousin by marriage,” Isabel said, grasping Penny’s hand, “but we’ll be cousins for real now.”
"Did he get down on one knee?" Charlotte
